The complaint alleges a slew of misrepresentations.
A United Aviate Academy aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ryan Ewing)
A group of over two dozen former students has filed a lawsuit against United Aviate Academy (UAA) and United Airlines, alleging consumer fraud and deceptive practices related to the flight school program.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Arizona, claims that UAA and United misrepresented the length, quality, and outcomes of the flight training program. Specifically, the plaintiffs allege that the defendants promised a one-year program with sufficient resources to train students to become commercial airline pilots but failed to deliver on those promises.
According to the complaint, “Defendants made false promises and/or misrepresentations to Plaintiffs with respect to the length of time the UAA program would take, the resources available to students, and otherwise the quality and cost of the program.”
A revised complaint filed on Wednesday alleges that United Aviate Academy and the airline itself misrepresented the duration and quality of their flight training program, promising completion within one year. However, due to insufficient resources, many students found themselves unable to finish within the advertised time frame.
United CEO Scott Kirby at the Aviate Academy (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ryan Ewing)
The program reportedly suffered from an inadequate number of available aircraft and flight instructors, coupled with inconsistent scheduling, which collectively hindered the delivery of necessary training to the enrolled students.
This led to frequent instructor changes, significant gaps in training, and limited flight opportunities, the lawsuit alleges.
Some students who raised concerns or fell behind as a result of these systemic issues were ultimately expelled. These former students incurred substantial expenses and debt based on the representations made by United Aviate Academy, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit brings claims under the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act as well as for negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent inducement, negligence, civil conspiracy, and aiding and abetting. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages, but an amount has yet to be determined.
Neither United nor United Aviate Academy has commented publicly on the lawsuit at this time. The case remains pending in federal court. AirlineGeeks reached out to United for comment.
The plaintiffs have also demanded a jury trial.
The Aviate Academy first opened in 2022 at Phoenix Goodyear Airport. It spans 340,000 square feet and includes a fleet of Cirrus SR-20 aircraft.
It provides students with a clear path for a career at United. According to the school’s mission statement, it provides an “accelerated curriculum designed to help students swiftly acquire the necessary licenses and ratings. United Aviate Academy has become a vital initiative within the industry, helping to alleviate pilot shortages while fostering diversity and accessibility in aviation to a broader range of aspiring pilots.”
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